Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-21
MURDER TRIAL
A CASE raAr fxctrYs GREAT DEAL
OF INTEREST.
Felony Cares In the Husiirgs Court Of
Pe,ersbufg-A Celebrated
Assault Trial.
rcOrrcsponaonce Of The Richmond pispatcn.l
PrrrRsBuRo. October 90, 1887.

tNofrcSpoDdcpce Oh Tue htCuihVho NAepoeVhsl
PETERSBURG. October 90, 1887.
The Circuit Court of Greenville
county-Judge Hancock presiding
began its fall term to-day. In addi-
ton to the usual civil cases there are
several important Commonwealth cases
on the docket. First OF these latter in
importance is that Of Randall Watson.
n negro OF some prominence. who is
charged with and has been indicted for
the murder of Joe Robinson on the
26th Of December, 1886. When ar
raigned in the County Court for trial
Watson elected TO be tried in the Cir
cult Court. Robinson was shot down
and instantly killed at Bellfeld, in con-
sequence, it is alleged, Of some family
trouble between the parties. The af-
fair caused good deal of excite
ment of the time, and there were
threats among the murdered mans
friends Of lynching. If anything OF
the kind was ever contemplated it was
prevented 10y tho wise precautions Of
the Court in having the prisoner re-
moved to the Jail in Petersburg for safe
keeping, and he mas been confined here
ever since. He was taken out to Green
vile last evening. Watson is repre-
septed TO be n man of rather notorious
character. After committing the crime
lie fed from the county, but was subse-
oueptly arrested 10 Norfolk. Two or
three negro women. who were also in.
dicted for completely in the alleged
murder, are to be tried at the present
term of the court.
The quarterly term of the Hastings
Court of this city met to-day. The crimi-
nal docketis quite large one though the
cases are not very important. The grand
jury to-day brought in seven or eight
indictments for felony, and tomorrow
will meet again TO consider the libel
suits against the proprietors OF the
Iadcr- appeal and Lancet and the
sieners OF the resolutions condemning
Mayor Jarratt. Jn hisconnectioni it may
also lie stated that one of the cases
to be tried is that Of the negro Fred.
Ridley, whose assault upon Mrs. De-
Jeanette gave rise TO the serious excite
ment between the races some weeks
ago. In lis trial IN the Mayors Court
Ridley was fined $50 and sentenced to
Jail for six months. From this decision
he took an appeal, and this appeal will
be tried in the Hastings Court. He
has engaged three negro lawyers to de-
fend him.
Information has been received of the
recent death, in Brunswick, Mo-, Of
Dr. George Dupuy, n former resident
of Petersburg and a native Of Dinwid-
die county. He was an accomplished
and genial gentleman, and leaves many
friends and relatives here to mourn his
death.
The recent sales OF real estate in this
city indicate decided improvement in
the prices Of property and a gratifying
advance on previous figures.
Among the cases on the docket OF
The Hastings Court for the present
term is that Of Mr.. A. B. Guigon, of
Richmond, indicted for selling coupons
without a license. This case aas been
twice continued for satisfactory rea-
sons. What viii be done with - re-
mains TO he seen. ROBIN ADAIR.